Four men including an ex-police officer have been arrested by Police in Mangochi for illegal possession of specimen of endangered species contrary to section 110(b) of National Parks and Wildlife Act.
Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi has confirmed of the arrests saying the suspects were offering for sale pieces of elephant ivory at Idrusi Trading Center where members of the public tipped Mangochi Police detectives on 18th July, 2022.
She has identified the suspects as Davie Fungulani, 40( ex-police officer), Davie Yakiti, 62, Sharif Makwinja, 39 and Mcdad Maziyaya, 39.
"The officers in conjunction with Wildlife Crime Investigation Unit rushed to the scene and arrested the suspects after being found with three pieces of raw ivory weighing 36.4kgs which were hidden in a black plastic bag," Daudi said.
According to Daudi, the suspects are claiming to have acquired the specimen from Mozambique and they will appear before court after investigations are completed.
"As police we wish to thank members of the public for their continued support in the fight against wildlife crime in the district," she explained.
Source: Nkhoma Synod Radio